Tomorrow (June 27) I leave for a 12 day missions trip in Ukraine. Please remember to pray for me and the other four adults from my church who are going. We’ll be visiting our sister church in Rozhny there for a time of encouragement, fellowship and training. My primary responsibilities include training village youth workers in forming a philosophy of youth ministry and also playing guitar when we lead worship. My pastor will be conducting theological training with their lay-staff and while the other guy and two women will help them develop specific ministries for men, women, and children. We’re also taking LOTS of necessary materials and supplies (vitamins, gardening seeds, and sewing kits, for example) and a cash gift we raised to help them finish projects around the church and the community.

Although I’m looking forward to the trip, I am definitely NOT looking forward to 10 hours of sitting still in a plane both directions. What am I supposed to do for that long in one little spot? I tried to justify buying a Creative Zen Vision M that I’ve always wanted (especially with it being my birthday today), but the price tag puts it tantalizingly out of range. :-( Perhaps even worse, though, is being disconnected from Dana so close to our wedding. Without access to phone calls or e-mail, it’ll probably feel pretty isolated. Fortunately, once I return, the wedding is only two weeks away, so at least our reunion will be made permanent shortly after the separation.

I’ll probably record a video blog each day, so look for that here in a about two weeks. Until then, thanks for keeping me and missions the team in your prayers!

Posted on June 26, 2006